Rapper Nicki Minaj is convinced many stars are too scared to talk publicly about the recent police killings in the U.S. after Kanye West was "torn apart" for speaking out about social justice issues. The Starships hitmaker has opened up about the controversial subject in a new interview with Rolling Stone magazine, criticising the grand jury decision not to indict a cop for the killing of Eric Garner, who died in police custody in New York.
However, Minaj admits many fellow celebrities are unsure whether to speak out on the thorny issue because of West's treatment after he declared "George (W.) Bush doesn't care about black people" when referring to the former U.S. President's response to the Hurricane Katrina disaster in 2005.
Minaj says, "It's sickening (the Garner case), and I've been reading so many people saying, 'Why are we surprised?' That's what's really sad: that we should somehow be used to being treated like animals... I feel like when Public Enemy were doing Fight the Power, we as a culture had more power - now it feels hopeless. People say, 'Why aren't black celebrities speaking out more?' But look what happened to Kanye when he spoke out. People told him to apologize to Bush! He was the unofficial spokesman for hip-hop, and he got torn apart. And now you haven't heard him speaking about these last couple things, and it's sad. Because how many times can you be made to feel horrible for caring about your people before you say, 'F**k it, it's not worth it, let me live my life because I'm rich, and why should I give a f**k?'"

Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush has been discharged from hospital after receiving treatment for shortness of breath over the holidays. The 90 year old spent Christmas Day (25Dec14) under doctors' care after he was admitted to Houston Methodist Hospital in his home state of Texas on 22 December (14).
The former leader, who has a form of Parkinson's disease and uses a wheelchair, was released from the medical centre on Tuesday (30Dec14).
A statement released by Bush family spokesman Jim McGrath reads: "He is now resting at home, grateful to the doctors and nurses for their superb care."
Bush served as the 41st President of the United States from 1989 to 1993.
His son, George W. Bush, became the 43rd President and was in office from 2001 to 2009.

Former U.S. President George H.W. Bush was rushed to hospital on Tuesday evening (23Dec14) when he suffered shortness of breath.
The 90-year-old politician's spokesperson insists the visit to the facility in Houston, Texas is a "precaution".
A statement reads, "President Bush was taken by ambulance to the Houston Methodist Hospital as a precaution after experiencing a shortness of breath earlier this evening. The former president, age 90, will be held for observation, again as a precaution."
The former president has a form of Parkinson's disease and uses a wheelchair. Bush succeeded Ronald Reagan to serve as the 41st President of the United States from 1989 to 1993.
His government was driven by foreign policy as the Berlin Wall fell in 1989 and the 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union occurred while he was in office.
He has been married to his wife Barbara since 1945 and they share six children - former President George W. Bush, Robin, Jeb, Neil, Marvin and Dorothy .

He’s one of the biggest names in Hollywood, but Christian Bale has always been somewhat of a mystery. Hell, we didn’t even realize he had a British accent until a few years ago! He commits so fully to his characters that we felt it was only right to commit to digging up facts on this transformative actor. Some you may know already, others might come as a surprise.
1. He was born in Wales, but he’s technically English.
Getty Images/Ian Gavan
But to make things even more confusing, he'll sometimes do interviews in an American accent if he's playing an American character.
2. He was the first non-American to portray Batman.
Warner Bros via Everett Collection
3. He met his wife, Sibi Blazic, through his Little Women co-star Winona Ryder.
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Blazic was Ryder’s personal assistant.
4. He's an expert at losing and gaining weight.
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Bale transforms for his roles. He infamously lost 63 pounds (yikes) for his role in The Machinist , and gained 43 pounds for his role in American Hustle.
5. He worked with David O. Russell and Amy Adams twice – in both The Fighter and American Hustle.
Paramount Pictures via Everett Collection
6. He was in Newsies.
Buena Vista Pictures
He sang! He danced! He was an adorable teenager!
7. He was originally cast to play George W. Bush in the movie W., but dropped out and was replaced by Josh Brolin.
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8. He has a kind heart.
Getty Images/Tim P. Whitby
Following a 2012 shooting at an Aurora, Colorado movie theater during a showing of The Dark Knight Rises, Bale visited survivors in the hospital.
9. He also has a bit of a temper.
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A recording of his tirade on the set of Terminator: Salvation was released – and remixed – in 2009. He apologized for it, though.
10. He was almost replaced by Leonardo DiCaprio in American Psycho.
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Leo dropped out to star in The Beach. We'd say things worked out in favor of Bale.
11. He partially shaved his head to get an authentic-looking combover in American Hustle.
Columbia Pictures via Everett Collection
Now that's dedication!
12. His dad, David Bale, was married to feminist Gloria Steinem from 2000 until his death in 2003.
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13. At age 12, Bale beat out more than 4,000 child actors for the starring role in Empire of the Sun.
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His performance won him the first ever "Best Performance by a Juvenile Actor" award from the National Board of Review.
14. He was just cast to play Steve Jobs.
Getty Images/Vera Anderson
He's set to star in the Danny Boyle-directed film Jobs (not to be confused with the Ashton Kutcher flick of the same name). Seth Rogen just signed on to play Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.
15. He bears a striking resemblence to Kermit the Frog.
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We blame the Internet for this one.
Hopefully we made this private actor just a little more knowable.
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Know any other Christian Bale facts? Tweet us and tell all of them!
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Fashion mogul Oscar De La Renta has died, aged 82. The acclaimed Dominican designer passed away on Monday (20Oct14) at his home in Kent, Connecticut, his wife Annette de la Renta has confirmed.
She did not divulge the exact cause of her husband's death, but de la Renta had been intermittently battling cancer since his initial diagnosis in 2006.
A handwritten statement signed by two of his company's executives, son-in-law Alex Bolen and stepdaughter Eliza Bolen, reads: "While our hearts are broken by the idea of life without Oscar, he is still very much us. Oscar's hard work, his intelligence and his love of life are at the heart of our company.
"All that we have done, and all that we will do, is informed by his values and his spirit. Through Oscar's example we know the way forward. We will make Oscar very proud of us by continuing in an even stronger way the work that Oscar loved so much."
De la Renta was born into high society in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic in 1932. At the age of 18, he moved to Madrid, Spain to study painting in at the Academy of San Fernando. There he developed his love for sketching fashion designs, and it led to a coveted apprenticeship with top Spanish couturier Cristobal Belenciaga, and assistant jobs at French fashion houses Lanvin and Balmain in Paris.
In 1963, he moved to New York City to work for designer Jane Derby at Arden, and two years later (1965), he launched his own ready-to-wear label at the age of 33.
His feminine and flowing gowns caught the eye of former U.S. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, who made de la Renta her go-to designer for many years.
Other first ladies including Nancy Reagan and Hillary Clinton were also big fans. Earlier this year (14) Laura Bush, feted de la Renta at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas, Texas in a retrospective titled Oscar de la Renta: Five Decades of Style, which featured more than 60 of his impeccable gowns.
His designs were beloved and worn by A-list fashionistas, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Penelope Cruz, Cameron Diaz, Jessica Chastain, Kerry Washington and countless others.
Most recently, he collaborated with George Clooney's now-wife Amal on her wedding gown for her September (14) nuptials in Italy.
The British lawyer told Vogue last month, "George and I wanted a wedding that was romantic and elegant, and I can't imagine anyone more able than Oscar to capture this mood in a dress. Meeting him made the design process all the more magical, as he is so warm and such a gentleman."
Over his 50 year career, de la Renta was honoured with numerous awards, including two Council of Fashion Designers Designer of the Year Awards, a CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award, two Coty American Fashion Critics' Awards, the Gold Medal Award from the King and Queen of Spain, the Legion d'honneur as a Commande from France, and the order al Merito de Juan Pablo Duarte and the order of Cristobol Colon from his native Dominican Republic.
De la Renta was married to French Vogue editor Francois Langlade for 16 years until her death in 1983. He is survived by his second wife, Annette, three stepchildren, and his adopted son Moises.

Former Rem frontman Michael Stipe marked the 13th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on Thursday (11Sep14) by offering up his 'state of the America' thoughts in an essay published by The Guardian newspaper. Recalling the atrocities in New York, which took place just blocks from where he lived, the singer admits he's far from impressed with the efforts to honour those who lost their lives 13 years ago, insisting the building of the Freedom Tower on the Ground Zero site where the Twin Towers once stood is more about "nationalism" than "patriotism".
The Stand singer writes, "The Freedom Tower was meant to inspire patriotism and instead embodies the darker sides of nationalism. The 9/11 attacks and the (George W.) Bush administration's response, buoyed by the media, and our shock at having finally been direct victims of terrorism, paved the way for a whole new take on 'We have nothing to fear but fear itself'.
"There was no longer any need to explain or publicly debate militaristic power, or the police state mindset. To do so was to be the opposite of a patriot."
Taking aim at the post 9/11 flag-waving and the political use of slogans like 'Support our troops', Stipe continues, "Is that who we are now? Blind, unquestioning, warlike? Are we that violent, that childish, that silly, that shallow? Are we that afraid of others? Of ourselves? Of the possibility of genuine change? Are we that easily swayed, that capable of defending 'American interests,' whatever 'American interests' means? Are we that racist, that terrified, that protective of an idea that we don't even question what the idea has come to represent?"

Gwyneth Paltrow, Halle Berry, Jennifer Aniston, Rob Lowe and Reese Witherspoon joined forces on Friday night (05Sep14) to raise money and awareness for the Stand Up To Cancer charity at a star-studded telethon. The fourth biennial event, broadcast live in the U.S. and Canada from Los Angeles' Dolby Theatre, featured a slew of famous faces, including Kerry Washington, Jon Hamm and Mike Myers, calling on viewers to give generously to the organisation in order to continue supporting research into groundbreaking new cancer treatments.
Modern Family star Jesse Tyler Ferguson boosted awareness online by engaging with fans on Twitter.com as Fast & Furious' Jordana Brewster participated in a Facebook question and answer session, during which two male fans proposed to the married actress.
Angie Harmon, comedian Dane Cook, Magic Mike hunk Joe Manganiello and Scandal star Tony Goldwyn were among the celebrities who helped man the phones and accept live donations, while Robert Downey, Jr. sent in a video message and Matthew McConaughey, Zooey Deschanel, Bradley Cooper and funnyman Danny McBride all took part in a humorous, pre-recorded cancer awareness public service announcement (PSA).
However, one of the most touching celebrity appearances of the night came from former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan, who recalled losing his first wife, Australian actress Cassandra Harris, to the disease in 1991, followed by his stepdaughter Charlotte last year (13).
Addressing the audience, he said, "To watch someone you love have his or her life eaten away, bit by bit, by this insidious disease, that kind of sorrow becomes an indelible part of your psyche.
"I held the generous, strong, beautiful hand of my first wife, Cassie, as ovarian cancer took her life much too soon. And just last year, I held the hand of my funny, wonderful daughter Charlotte before she too died from this wretched, inherent disease."
Thyroid cancer survivor Sofia Vergara also gave a moving speech towards the end of the hour-long show, urging audience members to shine a light for loved ones battling the disease as she and Kevin Bacon introduced the event's closing performance from rappers Lupe Fiasco and Common and singer Jennifer Hudson, belting out their new cancer survivors' anthem, Remission.
Dave Matthews, Ariana Grande and The Who, via satellite from London, also performed during the telethon.
But the night didn't go quite as smoothly as planned - a live link-up with Ben Stiller from Toronto, Canada had to be axed at the last minute due to a technical problem, prompting presenter Mike Myers to quip, "Evidently, lightening has struck something in Toronto, because I am doomed never to have a live telecast without controversy. I think it's Hurricane Kanye has hit Toronto... (sic)".
The Austin Powers star was famously left dumbstruck back in 2005, when he stood by as rapper Kanye West notoriously lashed out at then-U.S. President George W. Bush in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, declaring, "George Bush doesn't care about black people" during a live TV fundraiser to help the victims of the New Orleans, Louisiana natural disaster.

Actress Rosie Perez is reportedly in final talks to serve as a co-host on the upcoming season of U.S. talk show The View. The Do The Right Thing star is hoping to add chat show host to her resume, as she's expected to take the vacant seat left by Jenny McCarthy or Sherri Shepherd, according to Deadline.com.
While Perez, who is also returning to Broadway next year (15) in Larry David's Fish in the Dark play, is no stranger to being in front of the camera, she has only served as a guest co-host on the New York-based daytime talk show once before in February (14).
Also expected to replace the former hosts who left the show in August (14), is political commentator Nicolle Wallace, who previously served as communications director for U.S. President George W. Bush.
If the deals go through, Perez and Wallace will join returning host Rosie O'Donnell and veteran Whoopi Goldberg.

Roadside Attractions via Everett Collection
Actor Robert Redford is set to portray veteran U.S. newsman Dan Rather in new movie Truth.
The Captain America: The Winter Soldier star will appear alongside Cate Blanchett, who will play Rather's producer Mary Mapes in a film based on her 2005 memoir Truth and Duty: The Press, The President, and The Privilege of Power.
Truth will centre on the controversy surrounding Rather's 2004 report which claimed former U.S. President George W. Bush was allowed to serve in the Texas Air National Guard in order to avoid fighting in the Vietnam War.
The story faced harsh criticism after it was broadcast and Mapes lost her job at CBS News.
The Amazing Spider-Man screenwriter James Vanderbilt will adapt the screenplay and make his directorial debut on the project, which is expected to begin production this autumn (14).

Actor Mike Myers is "super proud" to have been standing next to Kanye West when the rapper infamously accused former U.S. President George W. Bush of racism in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, because he's convinced the musician was speaking the truth.
The Austin Powers comedian had been selected to present a segment for a live TV fundraiser with West back in 2005, when the outspoken hip-hop star went off-script and took aim at the then commander-in-chief for his handling of the disaster relief effort in New Orleans, Louisiana, declaring, "George Bush doesn't care about black people." Cameras captured the look of shock on Myers' face as he heard what West had to say, but nine years later, the actor claims he was glad someone had the courage to call out authorities for their lack of action when so many lives were at stake.
He tells GQ magazine, "For me, it isn't about the look of embarrassment on my face, it is truly about the injustice that was happening in New Orleans. "To have the emphasis on the look on my face, versus the fact that somebody spoke truth to power at a time when somebody needed to speak? I'm, like, super proud to have been next to him."
West was forced to issue a public apology to Bush after his outburst, which the former leader subsequently branded one of the lowest points of his presidency in his 2010 memoir, Decision Points. Hurricane Katrina claimed the lives of at least 1,833 people in late August, 2005 when it swept across the Bahamas, Cuba and areas of Florida before flattening parts of New Orleans.